One thing I noticed was that there was no location recorded for this image so I was in the process of contacting the State Library when I noticed the ‘creator’ – G. G. M., photographer.

On further investigation there were 121 images attributed to G.G.M. with a number being around the Bellarine Peninsula. I have a web page identifying all photographers in Geelong and District and G.G.M. wasn’t included in my list.

I checked the two main references for photographers in Australia – The Mechanical Eye in Australia: Photography 1841-1900, Alan Davies & Peter Stanbury, 1985, and Australians Behind the Camera: Directory of Early Australian Photographers 1841 to 1945, Sandy Barrie, 2002.

There was one possible entry: George G MURRAY (New York Studio / New York Photo Co.:

246 Collins Street, Melbourne 1903-06

244 Collins Street, Melbourne 1908

28 Union Street, Brunswick 1912-19

28 Union Street, Brunswick 1936-37

The G.G.M. images in the SLV catalogue were dated ca 1914 – ca 1916 however Gerard, a Librarian from the SLV Pictures Collection, has positively identified one of these images to November 1906. In fact Gerard has provided a great deal of information including the fact that the donor of this collection and numerous SLV staff had spent a great deal of time trying to identify G.G.M.

Another clue from Gerard and other librarians from the SLV Pictures Collection was that perhaps G.G.M. ‘might have been a skilled and ambitious amateur rather than a full-blown professional. There is something amateurish in the way he inscribes his initials on the negatives.’

In addition to numerous locations, G.G.M.’s images include many people – I think perhaps these are of his parents and siblings. I wonder if family historians / genealogists can help solve this conundrum? Certainly someone related to this family would discover a number of images of members of their family.

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14 thoughts on “CHALLENGE – who was G. G. M., photographer?”

Your comment “I think perhaps these are of his parents and siblings.” made me wonder about the titles of the photos. Particularly in reference to “Self and Jerry” & “Self and Alan”. The same man is in the photo “Mother, Jim, Daisy & Ted”. Therefore ‘Self’ must be either Jim or Ted ? Also given that photography was more laborious than today it is unlikely that G.G.M. is actually in the photos. Perhaps G.G. M. was a family friend ?

Hi Howard – at that time ‘selfies’ were far more prevalent than we think. In fact the majority of cameras were on tripods and had timer / delays so I would think that G.G.M. is definitely in the photos labelled ‘self’. That’s my thoughts anyway. I think it’s quite possible that G.G.M. is not necessarily his initials but who knows. The more thoughts and suppositions the better to help narrow the field. Thanks for your contribution. … Susie Z

There is the confusing addition to the ‘self’ titles with one of “Self and Alan”, upon closer inspection it is the older man named as ‘Dad’ in the Dad & 4 Boys.
Ok then given that a selfie was possible then why are two different men labelled as ‘Self’ ?
Identification of the family may help with identification of G.G.M.
The other question is the “(New York Studio / New York Photo Co.: which may give clues from passenger lists of arrivals to Australia IF he travelled to obtain those credentials ?

Hi Anne – the Donor was one of the lines of enquiry through SLV and they confirmed there was no connection between Graham RADLEY and G.G.M. – in fact Graham had spent a lot of time researching and trying to identify G.G.M.

It has puzzled many individuals and organisation for a long time – and I still think the answer lies with the family unit – Mum, Dad, siblings etc, That’s my theory anyway.

GFHG MeetingMarch 27, 2019 at 7:30 pm – 9:30 pmBelmont Library, 163 High St, Geelong VIC 3216, AustraliaPresenter: Peter Begg; Topic: The creation of his book - Geelong - The First 150 Years - from his Geelong Advertiser day by day articles.